Unresolved Issues by Wanda B. Campbell Page B

you’re making Staci struggle.”
    Derrick blinked his eyes. He was trying unsuccessfully to block an image of Staci sitting on the floor, heartbroken.
    â€œDerrick, you’ve done to Staci what your father did to you. You rejected her and placed your insecurities on her. The difference is, you know Staci loves you, but yet, you’re willing to hurt her instead of dealing with your issues.”
    â€œI love her, too. She’s my heart,” he added sadly.
    â€œThen go home and tell her that. Share your heart with her. Tell her the truth about what happened.”
    Derrick listened. What Reggie said made sense, but he couldn’t do that right now. He was too vulnerable. Sure, Staci loved him, but would she once he unleashed the skeletons in his closet?

Chapter 12
    The next afternoon Staci went for a walk with her father along the man-made lake that ran adjacent to her parents’ estate. Carey looked over at his daughter walking in silence with her head hung down and put his arm around her shoulder. She relaxed and rested in the safety her dad provided.
    â€œBaby girl, hold your head up.”
    â€œDaddy, it’s hard,” she replied, with her head still down.
    â€œI know it is, but you’re a strong woman. I raised you that way.”
    â€œMaybe if it didn’t hurt so much.”
    â€œStacelyn, it only hurts because you love Derrick.” Hearing her birth name, she instantly lifted her head. Carey almost never referred to her by her given name. She was simply his “baby girl.”
    â€œDerrick loves you too,” her father continued. “He just doesn’t know how to show it yet. I’m not trying to minimize the severity of his actions. In fact, I’m angry at him. But I also understand that he’s battling a war within himself.”
    â€œWhere does that leave me?” she asked and blinked back tears.
    â€œUnfortunately, it leaves you hurt and wounded,” her father sighed. “Sometimes no matter how much we try not to, we still hurt the people we love, the same way others have hurt us. That’s what’s happening to Derrick. But, baby girl, I promise you, you’ll get through this. Hopefully, Derrick will come around, but even if he doesn’t, you will get through this.”
    â€œHow, Daddy?” she whined.
    â€œBy taking one day at a time. If it’s easier for you, take an hour at a time. Do what you have to do, but don’t stop living your life. Love Derrick, but don’t stop living because he’s not there.”
    â€œBut, Daddy, I want him here. I want him with me,” she moped.
    Carey stopped walking and locked eyes with his daughter. “Do you want him with you if he’s not willing to be there for you 100 percent? Do you want him here not knowing how to love you back? Do you want him here before God settles him?”
    Staci didn’t answer because that’s exactly what she had now.
    â€œBaby girl, this was a hard lesson for you to learn, and an even harder one for your mother and me to watch. But I think you’ve got it now.”
    â€œI thought Mom would be the one to say, ‘I told you so.’ Staci half-smiled.
    â€œWe’re not concerned about taking credit for warning you. We just want to make sure you learn the lesson.” Carey narrowed his eyes, and Staci knew he was waiting for her to recite the lesson, just like he’d done throughout her childhood.
    â€œâ€˜God is the only one who can change people. And anything that is not in God’s designated time is out of time.’ Oh, one more. ‘You can not hurry God; neither can you help Him out.’”
    â€œThat’s a good start,” Carey said, then kissed his daughter on the cheek.
    â€œDaddy, there’s more?” Staci whined.
    â€œOh, there’s much more, but you’re on your way.”

    Monday morning, after a hearty breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs, Staci left